The Value Engineering process is applied to every type of project that we work on.

For Public Sector Clients and Institutions, such as NTTA, TxDOT, Municipalities, Cities, Counties, Civil Firms, and School Districts, the most cost effective approach is identified for foundations, floor systems, retaining walls and pavements, which will provide the long term performance that they expect with minimal maintenance that they require. This includes the identification of any long term risk of less expensive systems so that appropriate cost-risk studies can be performed by the owner and design team.

For the Private Sector Clients such as Developers and A/E/C, Contractors, Industrial Clients, and Architects, the same approach is used as identified above. We are always willing to consider and evaluate all alternatives available and to provide QA/QC specifications to assure that structural performance is not compromised by less expensive construction techniques.

Some examples of design alternatives include the following.

• Shallow to intermediate depth foundations at sites where deep cased piers would otherwise be required.
• Slab-on-grade construction at sites where the risk for long term movement can be prevented.
• Structural Floor Systems where the cost or risk of excessive movement for slab-on-grade is not a prudent choice at sites containing a deep-seated swell potential or deep uncontrolled fill that has not reached a state of settlement equilibrium.
• Foundation subgrade improvements to allow shallow foundations or conventional retaining wall construction at sites containing soft or weak soil conditions.
• Sub-Drain Design and/or slurry walls at problematic sites.
• Alternative Pavement Designs using alternative pavement bases or thickened pavement sections with no base.
• Soil Management Plans where on-site soils are used for all grading within the building and pavement areas with minimal to no imported fill required from off-site sources.
• Conceptual Structural Details for pedestrian and vehicular entries for buildings that will prevent long term maintenance and/or replacement.

The Principal Engineers at our firm have presented over 25 engineering papers at state meetings and conventions that have addressed various value engineering topics.